Review of Enforcement Measures for Breach of HDB's Lease Agreement

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry is reviewing the measures that can be taken to enforce a breach of a covenant of the Memorandum of Lease to HDB's lease agreement; and (b) whether a tiered penalty system can be incorporated.

The covenants of the Memorandum of Lease generally set out the acts and uses that are not permitted in HDB flats, in order to maintain a high-quality living environment for all residents. We are not currently reviewing measures that can be taken to enforce a breach of the lease covenants.

Where there is feedback of a possible breach, HDB will conduct investigations where necessary. In cases where an egregious breach has been committed and there is failure to rectify the breach despite warnings, HDB can consider compulsorily acquiring the flat. HDB exercises this right only as a last resort as compulsory acquisition is a harsh measure that is not undertaken lightly.